Moonlite Drive-In

17555 Lee Highway,
Abingdon, VA 24210

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Additional Info

Previous Names: Moonlight Drive-In, Moonlite Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Screen from inside

The Moonlight Drive-In opened on June 9, 1949 and was last known as the Moonlite Theatre. This single screen drive-in has a capacity for 454 cars. On 8th August 2007 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was closed in 2013.

In 2016 it had a new owner and was re-opened as the Moonlite Drive-In on October 21, 2016 with Alexander Skarsgard in “The Legend of Tarzan”. Work was done by volunteers to prepare for its re-opening. However only 35mm films can be screened until funds are raised to purchase a digital projector. Sadly, this reopening only lasted for a brief time.

In March 2024 it was announced that the Moonlight Drive-In had new owners and would reopen later in 2024.

Contributed by Lost Memory

Recent comments (view all 15 comments)

KenLayton
KenLayton on October 6, 2013 at 3:21 am

The website is no good any more. Just goes to a go daddy this site for sale.

KenLayton
KenLayton on October 6, 2013 at 1:24 pm

Hey Chuck1231, I just tried calling their phone number too. Yup you are right. The recording says closed for repairs. Didn’t sound too hopeful.

KenLayton
KenLayton on October 6, 2013 at 4:46 pm

I’ve found their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/abingdonmoonlite

Something about the 35mm projector breaking and not being able to repair it.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on October 11, 2014 at 6:32 pm

This drive-in is closed. It did not open for the 2014 season and the phone is disconnected.

Keith
Keith on June 9, 2016 at 12:31 am

For sale. http://m.wcyb.com/news/moonlite-drivein-theatre-reluctantly-sets-sale-price/31954688

dansdriveintheater
dansdriveintheater on March 3, 2019 at 6:30 pm

didn’t reopen

https://www.heraldcourier.com/news/lawsuit-filed-against-owner-of-moonlite-drive-in/article_3b435267-745b-58b7-9b66-fd73e223614e.html

dansdriveintheater
dansdriveintheater on December 22, 2022 at 11:45 pm

Was used in 2020 for plays

rivest266
rivest266 on June 21, 2023 at 3:43 pm

Opened June 9th, 1949. Grand opening ad posted.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on June 28, 2023 at 12:36 pm

The Moonlite was constructed by Concord, North Carolina native T.D. Field, who also operated both the Clinch Theatre in Tazewell and the Valley Theatre in North Tazewell since taken over from W.W. Thompson on November 1, 1942.

Connor
Connor on March 31, 2024 at 7:07 pm

The theater is under new ownership and is planned to be reopened this year https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/abingdons-historical-moonlite-theatre-under-new-ownership/

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